List of Agents

 

Well, change of plans, I've decided that I will be looking for an agent to represent my book!

 

I've discovered that there actually are a LOT of agents who will read a proposal for your book, and even the manuscript, for free! (These are legitimate agents people! :D ) I've since decided to send in a query ( a letter talking about my book) to a few agents and see what responses I get.

 

I used the 2013 Writer's Market to find a total of sixteen agents--though I am sure I will need more and I have already sought out another source of literary agents for further guidance. (The 2013 Guide to Literary Agents) But in the meantime I will be learning to write a query to send to potential agents. I'll make sure to post about it and let everyone know about the dos and donts (which I have yet to learn)!

 

Also, for all you writers who are ready to start looking into publication, I strongly recommend the Writer's Market 2013 (most recent version) book! It gives you all the information you could ever want to know about book publishing, writing, editing and agents! So far, I've found it very helpful and informative! It's really saved me from stumbling around in the dark!

 

I've picked out three agencies that I really like, but I know that I probably won't get a "Yes we'd love to represent you' in return. First off I'm unpublished, so things are very difficult in that arena, and it just takes a long time to find the right person to represent you--and who wants to! Right now I just want to see if an agent even thinks the book is marketable right now, which I really hope it is. I may include this in my query, but I'm not sure.

 

I've learned a few things though. 1) Agent's DON'T respond immediately, they take a few weeks or months to do so, depending on the size of their agency. 2) They don't usually want manuscripts, they want queries, as mentioned previously. If they like your letter, then they will ask to see the completed work, past that I'm unsure.

 

Also, the 2013 Writer's Market said that you should start a platform, or a fan base for your work. Writers should create hype for their book, but that's after its been accepted I'm sure. I'm still reading about that. Next time I visit the library I will study more on that as well as look for more agents.  

 

Next on the 'To Do List' is print the book and give it to a few test readers, while simultaneously choosing a few agencies and practicing writing a query. As mentioned before, I've found three that I think I will start with, but first things first, get the story to the test readers and write a query! :)

 

 

But I have been doing some things other than writing, just for a brief vacation I guess you could say.

 

My aunt has gotten her in ground pool up and running and we will be heading over there this weekend. Jessie and I are already getting ready! My preparations included getting a new bathing suit that I really like. I won't post pics cause it's a bikini (yes I finally got one) but I have officially started sun bathing to try and get a tan before pool days! Seriously, I'm really pale! Not that I want to look like a piece of leather, but I just want a nice little tan.

 

So today I spent a hour reading 'Beautiful Creatures' while listening to Eisley and the Civil Wars--and txting my friends Hannah and Jessie. However it wasn't a complete vacation, I did sneak in a previously printed version of my work to review and edit--heh heh, I guess my mind wouldn't let me completely escape just yet!

 

 

Oh well, at least I've started a tan and I'm looking forward to another hour in the sun tomorrow. But I must say, I will probably need some new songs on my MP3 player--I've listened to the old ones a hundred times! 0_0

Oh, and before I forget, please check out my new 'non writing' blog at http://lunaticsings.blogspot.com/

But be warned, my complete weirdness is going to really show there!

 

Also, I've created a Twitter account (with my pen name, sorry!) and the link is in the side bar near the top! Please stop by and say hey! :D

 

 

That's all for now!

 

Your blogger,

 

Rebecca

My Little List of Publishers.

 

And believe me, it's a short list.

 

My mother, my sweet and AMAZING mom, got me a writer's market book so I could--yes you heard me--start looking for publishers!

 

I believe that my book has reached a point where it is ready to, at least, take its first baby step out into the real world.

 

But you wouldn't believe how hard it is to find a publisher for young adult. You wouldn't think that would be too big of a problem but believe me it is! Especially since I'm an unpublished author who doesn't have an agent. I doubt highly I will be able to get an agent and go to some of the big name publishers right off the bat, but maybe, if I can get this series published, I can move up! :)

 

I've found at least three that I really like, one of them sounds really really good, but I'm very skeptical and picky. Just a quick note: I don't care about money. I just want a publisher who will market my story well and give it the best possible chance, money isn't a big deal. As long as people actually get to read my story, and maybe even like it, I'm happy. I don't want to be the author of a five and dime novel that ends up in the thrift store. :( I'd like to have a book that stood out--doesn't have to be Hunger Games big--it just has to hold it's own.

 

But yes, there, I've announced it in so many words. I'm in the first stage of trying to get a book published. So far, God has graced me with giving me my list of possible publishers, and hopefully he will continue to bless me as I travel down the road I feel he has lead me on. There will be rough seas ahead as I get the rejection slips that come to any author--but with God's grace, help and provision I will see this project through and (hopefully) be blessed.

 

Thanks so much for your continued support and I hope that you will continue to read and keep up with the progress. I'll write about the process of publication more in the following months--hopefully I'll be able to find something that other authors can use as well!

 

Please PRAY for me, the book, and the publishing process. Please pray that I can find a good, trust worthy publisher who will help me all they can; who will give my book the best shot it can have and that the book will, ultimately, be published! Also please pray that I don't got out of my mind! :D

 

As always, any and all advice or tips are welcome! If you have something that might help me in this journey, or that might help others, SPEAK UP! We authors have to stick together! :D

 

Thanks again!

 

Your blogger,

 

Rebecca

Book One: Draft Six Complete!

 

Hey there, the few Just Me readers!

 

I just wanted to pop in and tell you that as of today: May 16th 2013, I have officially finished Draft Six of Book One! :D Yes, there was a draft four and a draft five that were stretched out over my four months of college, but now Draft Six (which was completed in a month) is now done! It rocks the scale at 482 pages and 87,369 words! :D There are fifty eight chapters, but believe it or not, this book is shorter than the other drafts! 0_0 Part of Draft Five's purpose was to shorten the story, and Draft Six just took it a little bit further.

 

There are three parts to this story, and I just finished re-writing Part Three. The first two parts have been 'pulled fairly straight' (meaning I got most the tangles out of it), but the last part just wasn't doing it for me. It wasn't realistic, plus it was very long and boring. I thought that shortening it and making the action a little more life threatening really helped! Too bad I leave my readers with a huge cliff hanger, oh well...that's what we writers live for!

 

Now it's time to finally hand the book over to test readers. I have a few lined up for sure, so I'm very happy and grateful for that! I just need to get the MASSIVE amount of paper and ink to print this sucker! Once my test readers have given me their opinions of the story I will try and do some more editing based off of their compiled suggestions. Past that point, I'm not really sure what editing projects I will undertake. Perhaps it's time for a new and VERY important step?

 

God has really blessed me these past couple of days with my writing by helping me get my projects done WAY ahead of schedule, as well as providing me with inspiration and the answers to several problems! :D I'm trusting completely in him as I hand this work over, for the first time, to virgin eyes! I'm trusting that he will help me to fix any problems that may arise within my book and that he will bless the new road I'm traveling on!

 

Thanks so much to all of you who have stayed with this blog through the years, you mean the world to me!

 

Please, if you have any questions or comments let me know!

 

Your ever excited blogger,

 

Rebecca

New Blog

Hey everyone.

Just wanted to make a quick post and say that I have started a new blog.

If you want to follow--please visit:http://lunaticsings.blogspot.com/

WARNING: I will be REALLY nerdy on this blog.


I am sad to leave this blog...but I don't think it fits me anymore and I want something new. I don't know. I will post here occasionally--only writing things--but for personal things go to my new blog.

Please no hate on the new blog.

Thanks so much, you are awesome and I will miss you guys!

Love,

Rebecca

A Novel Update

 

I had just finished writing my previous post when I realized I hadn't given y'all an update on my novel project. I do realize that not many people enjoy reading about someone else's writing progress. But I'm hoping that my journey to (hopefully) future publication will inspire and be helpful to other authors. Though at the moment I'm just some unknown sending rambling words off into the wide world of the Internet. Never the less I will proceed.

 

Writing has been great these past two months. In fact I've finished my draft four that I started back in January! It took a lot longer than usual to finish but I managed to crawl to the finish line last Tuesday. Needless to say, I was THRILLED! Finishing a novel, even if it's a novel you've written over and over and over again, is a gratifying experience no matter how long your story ended up being! :D

 

This time Book One ended up being 86,235 words and seventy one chapters. Talk about a 30,000 word jump from the original manuscripts!

 

As is the case with many authors, I discovered a whole new way I wanted to take my story. I'm happy to say that it was a good road to take--but still was/is a little too long.

 

Normally, getting a book to the 80,000 word mark is a huge deal! I mean, most would see that as pretty impressive! However, publishing companies do NOT see it as a good thing; especially not YA publishers.

 

Young adults don't want to read a seventy one chapter book. They want something that is quick, to the point and interesting. Bottom line: My book is too long.

 

Now comes the time when I have to bring out the hack saw and start tearing away unnecessary parts of the story. I've started a Draft Five and so far it's been smooth sawing, but that doesn't mean it can't change. Today's been productive though! I've managed to get well into Part Two and the story is already much shorter and easy to read!

 

I haven't printed this draft out yet...nor do I intend to until I am completely done with it. You see, I suffer from this thing I like to call 'The Print Out Curse'...whenever I print out a book I immediately want to be done with it and I lose the urge to write on it. So I've made myself promise to wait to print this one out! As for the other bigger draft...I don't think I can print that one out. It's just TOO big! 

 

And since the book is getting so close to the finish line, I'm going to start letting people read it! My sweet friend Hannah has already agreed to read it for me. She's a very good book critic and gives me a unbiased honest opinion. I know that some people may doubt this as truth...but she really does. Hannah's brutally honest about this kind of stuff, which is what makes her such a good critic! I've got a few other select test readers lined up as well! Of course, I still have to finish this draft before I can start handing the book out.

 

But it's late now, and I've spent enough time on here. Wouldn't want to bore you guys!

 

So until next time!

 

Your busy and happy blogger,

Rebecca

 

 

Why I've Been Gone

 

Well, I know it's been a long time! Sorry that I didn't get a chance to answer all of your awesome comments! Truth is, I haven't even looked at my blog until now! :( Things have just been so busy! What have I been busy with you ask? Well, plenty of things!

 

For starters, I've been involved in another play this year! The same people who did Oklahoma have done another play this year and I'm in it! :D This year it's the Dixie Swim Club! For those of you who haven't heard about it, it's about five women who were part of a swim team in college. The five women are very close and make a vow that every year they will meet at a beach condo on the outer banks of South Carolina for a reunion. The play takes place over the course of several of these trips and some of the major life changes the girls go through!

I'm playing Jeri Neal, a girl who desires to be a nun. I play her in her early days after her graduation from college!

 

It's really been fun getting to do another play! I've met so many new and exciting people and have had an awesome time!

This is Taylor and me right before a show! She plays Vernadette, the clumsy brutally honest member of the group who also has a love of biscuits! We have SO much fun backstage! :D

 

The first performances were last weekend, but we have more this coming weekend as well! :D Needless to say though, it's been a lot of practicing and hard work--so that's partly why I haven't been able to post as often!

 

But here are a few pics from backstage!

 

 

We call this the "Stone Spray" it's the toughest hairspray out there! Seriously, spray something with this and it'll be stiff for a week! 0_0

 

 

Anna Lee (the girl who plays the younger version of Lexie:the self absorbed member of the Dixie Swim Club) has been really awesome and has done my hair for me these past few performances! This isn't a good picture, but basically there is a bump in the front, a HUGE bump in the back and a pony tail at the very back. It's a 1960s hairstyle and it's really cute! I can't believe she got my hair to do it though, my hair is very troublesome!

 

But anyway, overall the play has been going really well! Now it's nearly time for the Grand Ole Opry again and I have to hurry and pick a song! Wish me luck and if you have any suggestions, let me know! :D

 

But anyway, the play--as you can see--has really kept me busy. But the Dixie Swim Club hasn't been the only thing that's been occupying my time!

 

College midterms were this past week! YIKES! 0_0 I've never had to do those before, but I'm glad to say that the Lord blessed me and I was able to pass them with flying colors! :D YAY! :D Now I'm looking forward to going to school tomorrow and getting to enjoy a chocolate mocha at the coffee shoppe! Yea...I've become addicted to coffee now! Guilty pleasure!

 

But those are just some of the highlights of what's been keeping me busy! There's also been lots of other things that have occupied my time this week (including writing) and have kept me away from my beloved blog.

 

 But I'm back now and before too much longer I'll have LOTS of new writing posts for you to enjoy! :D

 

Well, I've got to run for my math tutoring session! So until next time!

 

This has been your happy, busy blogger,

Rebecca

 

Options for Decisions in a Sequel

 

I don't know about you, but I usually write sequels to my books...but I always have trouble getting into them and figuring out how to make them true to the characters...yet different from the first novel! However, this article lays out the dos-and-don'ts of sequel writing! To find out what I mean, check out: Options for Decisions in a Sequel

 

Your busy and happy blogger,

Rebecca